Best way to use a phone on a bike?

waynegalway

Hi

I've been checking out the Strava app on my iPhone, and it seems great. So far (I've only done 2 short rides, only got the bike yesterday), I've just stuck the iPhone in my pocket and rode.

I think that over time, as I go for longer spins, the sweat might be an issue.

So, what do you guys do?

2 possible options here. Bike mount, or waterproof cover and keep it in my pocket. As far as products go, the following 2 links show what I'm thinking of:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0129HULAA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=AE7OR996E6U4K

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BikeConsole-Incuding-Waterproof-Handlebar-Compatible/dp/B00NBM4IFW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1440247884&sr=1-1&keywords=tigra+iphone+6

I like the idea of having it mounted, but then I'd have to carry the "normal" iphone case to protect it during the times I'm not on the bike. The option of the waterproof case and sticking it in my pocket is a simpler solution, but again, I'd want to be able to swap the case for the normal apple one.

First world problems, I know, but I'm just wondering what you guys think and do.

Thanks.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Zip lock sandwich bag and kept in your rear pocket.

waynegalway

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

Zip lock sandwich bag and kept in your rear pocket.

That crossed my mind! Low tech and cheap. My only concern about that was what if it bounces out of my pocket or I take a tumble?

at1withmyself

Buy a Garmin...

Never had a problem tucking it in a pocket.

On longer wetter rides I've used a ziplock bag.

endacl

waynegalway wrote: »

That crossed my mind! Low tech and cheap. My only concern about that was what if it bounces out of my pocket or I take a tumble?

You may may be overthinking this...

waynegalway

endacl wrote: »

You may may be overthinking this...

Quite possible, yes.

DJD

I got one of these guys.

getfinn. com
(can't post links, you'll have to paste into a browser and remove spaces)

Find it really handy and have even used it on the mountain bike.

Koobcam

If you aren't up for shelling out on a Garmin, you might consider getting a smart watch. I have an Android phone and a Pebble and there's a Strava app for the pebble which allows you to see basic strava data (speed, time etc) and pause/start the app on your phone. Handy if you prefer not to be taking the phone out of your pocket. You can also get call alerts, texts etc on the watch. The watch costs about €100 though and with the Edge 500 going for about €130 these days, maybe you should just get a dedicated GPS...

ford2600

waynegalway wrote: »

Quite possible, yes.

Zip lock.

If occasionally you need navigation buy a lidl smartphone holder, download maps.me with route planning.

Your standard smartphone is better than the most expensive garmin for navigation.

Drink the money saved or just send me a nice bottle of Green Spot, the one with the French name would be nice. ☺

iwillhtfu

when I first started using strava with my phone I looked at all of those holders and thought they were a bit pricey.

I ended up buying one of those cheap rubber cases you see in those asian mobile stores knocking about drilled a couple of holes in the back of it and cable tied it to the stem. Then whenever I was going for a spin I just threw the phone in a bag and clipped it into the cheapo case.

Inevitably though you will end up buying a Garmin so you may aswell skip the early steps and you'll be wrong when you think that you'll only need the 200 as you've no use for cadence/hrm. So go for the 500 or above.

Then again why not skip all the steps and get yourself a power meter

syklops

ford2600 wrote: »

Drink the money saved or just send me a nice bottle of Green Spot, the one with the French name would be nice. ☺

Irish whiskey with a french name? I dont care what science can do, its just wrong.

Macy0161

Before I got a Garmin (I got a watch - 310xt - as I do running too), I used to use this bag on the top tube...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roswheel-Cycling-Bicycle-inches-Pannier/dp/B00JAA3YJU

It took my phone at the time in a silicon case. Never trusted it the wet, so the phone went in a zip lock bag too (as my phone does now if its wet and I am on the bike, only its back in the back pocket).

It's also big enough to take a small wallet, access cards, keys etc., which was handy on the commute.

iwillhtfu

ford2600 wrote: »

Your standard smartphone is better than the most expensive garmin for navigation.

OP wants it for strava though

Also OP if you start going on longer rides you'll need to pick up an external battery pack or solar charger as gps eats through your battery life.

ednwireland

Always have my smartphone in my back pocket in a freezer bag

rollingscone

It's a shame quadlocks are so expensive.

Hauki

If you want something less ghetto than ziplock bag for your phone, money and cards I can recommend this:
http://bellroy.com/wallets/elements-phone-pocket

Agreed that its more expensive than the plastic bag but if you can stomach the price its definitely worth the consideration. Works brilliantly on outdoor and travel stuff as well.

ford2600

iwillhtfu wrote: »

OP wants it for strava though

Also OP if you start going on longer rides you'll need to pick up an external battery pack or solar charger as gps eats through your battery life.

I've done 250km ride with strava on on a smartphone. Gps is light on battery. Turn off everything else and phone battery will last a long time.

You can ALSO use phone if lost without using data if you use Maps.me app.

External packs necessary north of 300km only.

Taste that Green Spot and come back to me @skylops! I think they age a variety in french sherry barrels or something. Fcuk it you can have a glass of mine, OP will I have it by Wednesday?☺

TychoCaine

I use a Wahoo RFLKT (see http://eu.wahoofitness.com/devices/rflkt.html) that I picked up here for €50 on the handlebars and keep the iPhone in a ziplock bag.

iwillhtfu

ford2600 wrote: »

I've done 250km ride with strava on on a smartphone. Gps is light on battery.

What phone have you got? I want one.

Unknown Soldier

iwillhtfu wrote: »

What phone have you got? I want one.

An iPhone works with Strava in airplane mode. Ala the GPS still works.

I've always just shoved it into a jersey pocket and in some horrendous weather/rain too. Never had an issue with it, bar when taking the odd photo. The lens can be a bit wet and the touch screen a tad off.

I think most modern phones are fairly water proof with the likes of rain? I only put my smokes/money in a plastic bag. They don't like the rain much

Mec-a-nic

waynegalway wrote: »

... I know, but I'm just wondering what you guys think and do.

My solution was to get a Quad Lock mount and case. (amazon linky).
This makes it easy to mount securely on the bike(s) and the case is slim enough to use as my everyday one. (My toddler occasionally uses the phone as a hammer so the case has proved its worth). There is a slip on 'poncho' for the rare times I cycle in the rain, so it's not needed on the phone the rest of the time. One can buy compatible mounts for car, desk, wall, etc so that may be a selling point.

Not the cheapest, but well designed cases from Australia are a first-world solution...